Almost one hour they will guide you to a journey through lands which are formed by dragons. Together with German author Christoph Hardebusch the Metal band created this world. A world made of words and notes. Beside the concept album by VAN CANTO there is a novel by Hardebusch released. And why the fu** ist there Gimli? The storyteller of the album is nobody less but John Rhys-Davis, who acted the dwarf Gimli in the Lord Of The Rings films. With his spoken-words-parts he creates the frame in which VAN CANTO act which there voices. Only voices! Well, it should be still metal, so drums are obviously somehow. Two lead vocals and three ‘Rakka-takka’-vocals complete the band. No guitars. No keys. For Voices Of Fire VAN CANTO worked together with the LONDON METRO VOICES which took also part in the Lord Of The Rings soundtrack. Goal of VAN CANTO is to show the power and possibilities of human voice and in fact it’s possible to do metal without guitars. May it will take a moment to get used this art of music but it’s worth this second!

And do they reach their goal? Yes! In case of this album which is the 6th of the band, the sound is as strong as of conversional power metal bands. The first song after the prolog – ‘Clashing On Armour Plates’ – is a hunting and powerful song, Time And Time Again surprises with an almost jazzy sound and rhythm. Recalling while listening that there are just human voices is spellbinding! The new adding Metal Vocal Musical to VAN CANTO fits perfectly to this album. The smooth transition between the songs and spoken-word-parts are well done, anyway every song could stand for itself. It feels like listening to a sung audio drama. A result of the a-Capella-concept is that the variety is missing. The self-imposed limitation of musical instruments leads this poverty. Flutes, Violins, there are a lot of instruments which would have fit perfectly in this musical sound. After the 7th song, they the songs sound quite similar. But this is crabbing on a high level 😉

All in all VAN CANTO go ahead the way they start 6 years ago and could create an innovative cross-over project with Christoph Hardenbusch and John Rhys-Davis. For lovers of the fantasy genre and power metal fans it is a boundless recommendation! Enjoy “Voices Of Fire”!

Tracklist:

01. Prologue
02. Clashing Of Armour Plates
03. Dragonwake
04. Time And Time Again
05. All My Life
06. Battleday’s Night
07. Fireworks (Join The Journey)
08. The Oracle 9
09. The Betrayal
10. We Are One
11. The Bardcall
12. To Catharsis
13. Epilouge
14. Hymn (Bonus Track)